23, October 2016

1.AMCDRR Curtain Raiser: Experts, architecture students discuss how to ‘Build Back Better’ – Ministry of Home Affairs

Source: PIB

Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016 will set direction for implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) in the Asia-Pacific region.

Building Back Better by putting people at the centre of disaster recovery and reconstruction remained the central idea of talks, workshops, exhibitions and passionate discussions that marked the ‘Building Back Better’ event at School of Planning and Architecture (SPA).

Sendai Framework is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and identifies targets and priority action areas towards reducing disaster risks.

Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction is priority 4 of the Sendai Framework. UNDP and WORLD BANK on building long-lasting disaster resilience.

National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) has confirmed that the virus subtype H5N8 infectionin wild birds is a new subtype being reported for the first time in the country.

Should You Be Worried About H5N8 Bird Flu?

H5N8 virus were found in the samples of three of eight birds which had died recently at the Delhi zoo, and not the H5N1 virus, which is more “infective and dangerous” and “may affect humans.

There are several strains of bird flu, or avian influenza, and H5N8 has only so far emerged in birds, not humans unlike H5N1, which can infect humans.

Who is at risk now?

The protein H5 can help the virus jump from poultry to humans. Poultry handlers are at immediate risk.

What is this alphabet soup?

Influenza A is a family of viruses which cause respiratory diseases. The virus subtypes differ in the kind of proteins the viruses carry on their surfaces — H1N1, H5N1, H7N9 etc.

The “H” and “N” stand for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, two crawler proteins on virus body that allow it to enter and exit host cells.

The nomenclature was built around them. The types are numbered according to when they were discovered; H1 was identified first. There are 18 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 11 different neuraminidase subtypes.

3.Narcotics Control Bureau seizes 500 Bitcoins used in drug trafficking

Sorce: Indian Express

The central agency to combat drug trafficking, has interdicted and begun investigation against three syndicates in the country and in one case it is moving to seize Bitcoins which in the accounts of traffickers, the first ever seizure of the virtual, unregulated currency in a criminal probe in the country.

The case pertains to the trafficking of drugs and narcotic supplements over the cryptic form of internet called ‘Darknet’ using the illegal payment method of Bitcoins to thwart detection by investigative agencies.

Darknet’ refers to the clandestine internet network which can only be accessed with specific software, configurations and authorisation and is difficult to track using usual communications protocols and ports, while Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that allows consumers to make electronic transactions by skipping the legal banking channels.

Bitcoin:

Bitcoin uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks; managing transactions and the issuing of bitcoins is carried out collectively by the network.

Bitcoin is open-source; its design is public, nobody owns or controls Bitcoin and everyone can take part. Through many of its unique properties, Bitcoin allows exciting uses that could not be covered by any previous payment system.

4.Alzheimer’s disease prevention a step closer, claim BHU researchers

Source: The Hindu

An effective antidote against amyloid beta peptide that causes Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy has been found.

A team of has demonstrated for the first time that when fibrinogen binds to amyloid beta it effectively prevents the peptide from causing any cytotoxic effects.

Fibrinogen brings about this by preventing amyloid beta from interacting with cells. The results were published in the journal Molecular Medicine.

5.India’s dissent over capping aviation emissions baffles IATA

Source: The Hindu

Global airline body International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed disappointment over India’s opposition to a global pact for curbing aviation emissions proposed by the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal.

Although 65 countries signed the pact committing to cap emissions at 2020 levels,

India and Brazil were among countries that opted out as it felt the deal would be unfair for developing countries where the civil aviation market is not mature and the airlines are limited compared to the developed economies.

6.Madhya Pradesh to become India’s supply hub post GST

Source: The Hindu

Madhya Pradesh which has been reporting over 10 per cent growth in the past few years is no more BIMARU as it has achieved all round growth in the past 13 years.

5th Global Investors Summit (GIS):

Strategically located at the centre of India, Madhya Pradesh (MP), would become the country’s supply hub post the roll out of Goods & Services Tax (GST).

Hopefully next year with the implementation of GST, when India would become one consolidated market, there would be a free flow of goods and services across the country.

BIMARU

The acronym BIMARU was coined by economist Ashish Bose to give a distinct identity to poverty stricken states namely Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

MP which has been reporting over 10 per cent growth in the past few years is no more BIMARU as it has achieved all round growth in the past 13 years.

MP, the heart of India, is one of the fastest growing economies of the country. With our business friendly policies and skilled labour force, we aspire to be the growth pillar of Make in India.

Vinoba IAS Academy is one of the leading centers dedicated to the noble objective of training and tutoring the civil service aspirants. Our aim is to not just provide the educational coaching but also to walk the student step by step through the much needed detailed guidance, touching every aspect of training for the exams.